212 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ALTON-SOUTHERN 



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Messrs. Hilliard and Pearson — Reported very light bloom on 

 Damson plums. 



Mr. Browne — It will soon be time to begin spraying, and it 

 may be well to warn people against making their mixture too 

 strong. One pound of London Purple to 300 gallons of water 

 is plenty for apples. Am afraid we cannot use it on peach trees. 

 I sprayed one of mine last year and it is barely alive now. 



Mr. Jackson — Had the same experience with two trees that he 

 sprayed. It not only caused all the leaves to drop off, but 

 actually killed the ends of all the small twigs. 



Mr. Browne — In Southern Illinois, last year, they tried spray- 

 ing peach trees with a solution of one pound of London Pur- 

 ple to 300 gallons of water, and even then some of the leaves 

 fell off. Think we had better keep the spraying nozzle off the 

 peach trees until we know more about it. 



Mr. Pearson — Does spraying prevent the falling off of young 

 apples that usually takes place soon after the fruit is set? 



Mr. Jas. Davis — No! This occurs only when the tree is full, 

 and the young fruit that drops off is not injured by insects. All 

 fruit trees do this when overloaded. It is nature's way of dis- 

 posing of superfluities. 



Mr. Pearson — Has anything been done towards securing scions 

 of the new apples that were recommended at our January 

 meeting? 



Mr. Browne — Messrs. Hammond, Riehl and myself have pro- 

 cured scions from Messrs. Babcock, Samuels and Kennan, and 

 have distributed them at nine different points in the State. 



VINEYARDS. 

 Mr. Browne — Vineyards are in good condition. Now, before 

 they come into bloom, you should go through, and wherever 

 there are two shoots starting from the same cane pinch off 

 one. The grapes will be much better if this is done. Early 

 Victor, especially, is liable to overbear if not thus treated. 



Mr. Pearson — Do you intend to spray them for the rot? 



Mr. Browne — Yes; I have procured a pump, which cost about 

 $25, and shall use the Bordeaux mixture. 



